How-To: Six Decorative Pie Edge Techniques

Put your forks away! Instead of the usual “pressing of the tines” ritual around the perimeter of your holiday pies, let these six suggestions be your inspiration and get your creativity flowing. The possibilities and pies are endless.

Braid: Brush the rim of a single-crust pie shell with water. Cut 3 long strips of extra pie dough 1/4” wide. Braid strips together and apply to the moistened rim.

Checkerboard: Use kitchen shears to cut across the rim of a pie shell at 1/2” intervals. Alternately fold every other piece toward the center.

Cutouts: Brush rim of double-crust pie shell with water. Cut out the rolled top sheet of pie dough with tiny pastry cutters (or free hand). Apply the cutouts to the moistened rim in an overlapping pattern, gently pressing to stick.

Point: Position your index finger on the inside of the pie shell rim, pointing out. Using the index finger and thumb of the other hand, press the dough into pronounced points that go outward. Once you have made your points all the way around the outside of the pie, go around again pressing the inside into pronounced points.

Scallop: Place the index finger of one hand on the edge of the pie shell rim pointing in. Use the index finger and thumb of the other hand to move the dough inward forming a scalloped roll around the perimeter.

Spoon Pressing: Press the rounded tip of a spoon along the perimeter of the pie shell rim. Move the spoon down and repeat using a smaller rounded tip.

Paula’s note: To give yourself the best rim to work with, cut your pie shell with kitchen shears so it hangs evenly 1” past the outer edge of the pan. Fold the edge of the dough under itself so it is even with the outside of the pan to form a thick raised rim. Once you have formed the decorative edge, like those we suggested, chill the pie shell in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before baking and filling. At this point, you can place your pie shells in a heavy zip-top freezer bag and freeze for up to two months.